AP: Japanese broadcaster says it will air recording of execution
A Japanese radio broadcaster said Wednesday that it would air a 1955 recording of a death row inmate's final hours, including the moment he was hanged. No sounds or images from actual executions have previously been broadcast in Japan, a justice ministry official said, adding that the authenticity of the recording was unknown. Nippon Culture Broadcasting, which has listeners in Tokyo and its surrounding areas, will air the 55-minute programme on May 6, said Katsuhiko Shimizu, who was involved in the production. The documentary features the unidentified male inmate being told he would be executed that day, he said. Listeners may also hear his last conversation with a prison official as Buddhist sutras are heard in the background..Shimizu said the tape was recorded at the Osaka detention house in western Japan, partly for the education of prison officials. He did not disclose how the company obtained it...Shimizu said the company decided to air the recording as "people know too little about executions". "As it's almost a year to go to the introduction of a lay judge system in Japan, we want to give people an opportunity to think about the possibility that they may be in the position to decide on a death penalty," he said...more...